South Iceland

The beautiful beaten track

South Iceland is by far the best-known area amongst tourists in the country. If you are looking for a cross-section of what Iceland has to offer, then south Iceland is the obvious choice. It stretches from Höfn í Hornafjörður in the east down to Hveragerði in the south and makes up most of the southern highlands. This is the beaten track and for good reason. South Iceland contains two of the three national parks in the country, Vatnajökull National Park, the biggest in Europe, and Þingvellir National Park. This is where the famous Golden Circle is with its many highlights. It is a mix of farmland, glaciers, rugged mountains and flowing rivers, geothermal springs, icy waterfalls and floating icebergs. Road 1 will lead you to most attractions in South Iceland, some of which are visible from the road such as Jökulsárlón and Skógarfoss. Be aware that there are 20 single-lane bridges between Reykjavík and Höfn.

There are not only natural wonders to see like the Reynisfjara beach, Þórsmörk or Landmannalaugar, but there are also man-made attractions. Visit the Lava Centre in Hvolsvöllur to learn all about the surrounding nature or the Eldheimar museum in the Westman Islands exhibiting the historic eruption of 1974. A wonderful private gallery called Tré og List on the farm, Forsæti is a hidden gem. If you are travelling with kids, take them to the Slakki Petting Zoo at Laugarás or the ecovillage at Sólheimar for some entertainment.

The coastal road in the south leads you through small villages where old fish factories have been transformed into big museums. The Cultural Centre in Stokkseyri is a family-fun place of trolls and elves and this town is famous for its lobster from the Fjöruborðið.

South Iceland is a vast area packed with highlights and delights. It is the most popular area, giving a totally different experience to the rest of Iceland.